Liberty voters OK school renovations

Liberty — By a vote of 384-179, Liberty voters gave the go-ahead for a $35.8 million bond to pay for massive renovation projects in the Liberty School District.

Liberty — By a vote of 384-179, Liberty voters gave the go-ahead for a $35.8 million bond to pay for massive renovation projects in the Liberty School District.

Now, the school board has the authority to request bids for jobs, including a new roof, library and three new science labs at the high school. The science labs at the school have flooded in the past.

The elementary school also will get a new roof, eight new classrooms, a new cafeteria and a library. The elementary school has the notoriety of holding classes in what once was a coal bin.

The estimated $35.8 million cost for the work is more than the district's entire 2005 budget. The school board plans to meet with its architects and go over plans. Superintendent Ed Rhyne expects the architectural work to take up to a year to complete. When it's finished, the district will ask for bids on the construction work.

Rhyne said that $24 million of the work will be covered by state aid, and $1 million through an Excel grant. The district also plans to use $5 million set aside in its capital reserve fund. The remaining $5.8 million will have to be made up through a tax increase in a district with a tax rate of $33.60 per $1,000 of assessed value.

"We are thrilled," said Rhyne last night after the vote. "This is a big day for Liberty."